Category: Catalyst Win Consulting

Take the next obvious step

  • This Is Not Okay — And It Won’t Be Tolerated

    This Is Not Okay — And It Won’t Be Tolerated

    To all stakeholders — guests, partners, cleaners, investors, and neighbors:

    Earlier today, I received back-to-back alerts:
    Three unknown individuals banging on a front door at one of our residences. No reservation. No reason to be there. No permission. That’s a violation — of safety, of protocol, and of respect. That is not okay.

    This isn’t the first time. But it will be the last time that it happens without response.


    🔐 Safety First, Always

    We do not — and will not — compromise safety for anyone. Not for convenience. Not for sentiment. Not for someone who partied hard, got removed, and now wants to “come back for their stuff.”

    New Lost & Found Policy:

    • You’ll get one scheduled opportunity to collect personal items.
    • Miss it, and items will be treated as abandoned property and discarded.
    • No re-entry. No drop-ins. No “just grabbing something real quick.”

    🏠 These Are Residences — Not Hotels, Not Emergency Shelters

    Our homes operate under the same power grid and utilities as any other Cleveland residences. That means if the power goes out in the neighborhood, it goes out for us too. We are not exempt. And no — there will be no refunds for that.

    We provide:

    • Battery-powered hallway lighting
    • Tap lights for guests
    • On-site assistance when possible

    But again — this is a residence. You are not booking a commercial hotel with backup generators. If you book in the same zip code you live in just to escape a local power outage — be real about your expectations.


    💸 The Value Is Real — But So Are the Boundaries

    Most guests stay with us for less than $50 a night — in clean, comfortable, maintained rooms. In the fall of 2025, many of our residences went through mechanical upgrades to ensure an even better stays for our guests.  Our properties are insulated, secure, and purpose-built for quality stays.

    The Segunda (Private Room in Cleveland Ohio)

    And the market proves it:
    67% of guests surveyed said they chose StayWithJay because of pricing. We’re not just affordable — we’re consistent. But with that comes clear policies and limits. Safety comes first.


    🧠 A Note to Fellow Stakeholders: We All Need to Level Up

    I’ve heard the excuses:

    • “I didn’t understand the instruction.”
    • “I didn’t think it applied to me.”
    • “I didn’t realize it was urgent.”

    This is a business. A business that provides affordable, comfortable, and quality stays with a hotel quality inside the room, and a house feel outside. A business that feeds families, generates opportunity, and creates real value. That only works when we treat it with the respect it deserves.

    If we want to scale and grow, we must do better — all of us. That means tightening up our operations, following through, and standing behind the boundaries we’ve set.


    We have a great product. Let’s act like it.

    To the guests who respect the space — thank you.
    To the partners who show up and take ownership — thank you.

    To the rest:
    Come correct — or don’t come at all.

    — StayWithJay

  • To All Guests: No neon signs. Not a disruptor, but a contributor

    To All Guests: No neon signs. Not a disruptor, but a contributor

    A Thought on Parking, Community, and Why the Details Matter

    Let’s talk about something seemingly small—but actually very big: where you park your car when you stay at a short-term rental.

    You may think:

    “It’s just a truck.”

    “It’s only for a few hours.”

    “I didn’t see a sign.”

    And here’s the truth: None of those things matter when you block a driveway, park facing the wrong direction, or ignore clear instructions left for your stay. Why? Because it’s not just about you. It’s about the neighborhood. It’s about the community we operate in. And yes, it’s about our business, too.

    We Are Not a Disruption. We Are a Contribution.

    At StayWithJay, we’re not trying to fly under the radar. We’re not throwing parties in quiet residential zones. We’re not some faceless corporation buying up blocks. We live here, work here, and host here. We’re stewards of our properties and the communities around them.

    So when someone—say, a guest with a big work truck—pulls up and parks directly in front of the house, on the wrong side of the road, even after we’ve clearly communicated otherwise… that causes friction.

    Not just with us.

    Not just with our reputation.

    But with our neighbors, the city, and the fragile trust that short-term rentals depend on.

    We Don’t Put Neon Signs in Our Windows for a Reason

    Some hosts slap “NO PARKING HERE” in giant letters on their fence.

    Some hosts bolt “QUIET HOURS” signs to every wall.

    We’d rather not do that. Why?

    Because we believe people are capable of being considerate, of reading simple instructions and following them. We try to trust our guests. We try to preserve the feeling of home—without turning it into a rulebook museum.

    But when guests ignore that? They don’t just break a rule—they break a relationship.

    Parking Is a Mirror

    Parking might seem like the smallest thing in the world. But it reflects everything:

    • Did the guest read the check-in message?
    • Did they consider the neighborhood before they arrived?
    • Did they take five seconds to think: “Hey, where should I park this work truck?”

    That five-second pause makes the difference between being a welcome part of the neighborhood—or being the reason someone calls city enforcement.

    If You Need a Place to Ignore Details, That’s What Hotels Are For

    Seriously. Hotels have giant lots. Security cams. No neighbors who’ve lived there for 30 years. If you’ve got a rig, a trailer, or a schedule too hectic to read a message—we understand. But we’d gently suggest you book the Hampton Inn. We’ll still respect your trip. But we won’t ask our neighbors to tolerate what your schedule can’t.

    We’re Here to Add Value. Let’s Act Like It.

    At StayWithJay, we believe hosting is more than hospitality. It’s partnership—with our guests, with our teams, with the communities we serve. We’re not here to disrupt—we’re here to augment.

    That starts with the small stuff.

    Even something as small as parking on the correct side of the street.

  • What is the RuleBuster Series?

    What is the RuleBuster Series?

    What is the RuleBuster Series?

    The RuleBuster Series is our newest guest-facing campaign designed to catch those “Oops, I didn’t know” moments before they happen. Through visually bold, refreshingly honest, and sometimes hilariously direct reminders, we’re setting expectations crystal-clear so guests can stay stress-free and drama-free.

    Each RuleBuster graphic is crafted to:

    • ⚡ Preemptively stop common violations

    • 🎯 Deliver rules with personality and purpose

    • 🤝 Respectfully protect your host, your co-guests, and your own comfort

    You’ll see these RuleBusters during:

    • Your check-in flow

    • Guest portal log-ins

    • Welcome messages and property guides


    Why We Created It

    At StayWithJay, we believe that clarity is kindness. High occupancy and shared living setups mean one guest’s choices can affect everyone. Rather than bury rules in long paragraphs, we brought them front and center—on your screen, in your language, with style.

    Think of them as:

    Your chill-but-serious roommate giving you the heads-up you didn’t know you needed.


    What to Expect

    Here’s a taste of what the RuleBusters cover:

    • No unregistered guests. Period.
      Not your cousin, not your coworker, not your situationship. Register them or don’t bring them.

    • No early check-ins unless confirmed & paid.
      “I’m in the driveway” at 10 AM means you’re two parking tickets away from frustration. Standard check-in is 4PM.

    • Common area courtesy.
      It’s not your living room—it’s everyone’s. Clean up, keep it quiet, and respect shared space.

    Each visual is a short, digestible dose of reality + responsibility—with a bit of wit.


    How You Can Help

    • Read the RuleBusters when you see them.

    • Share them with your fellow guests (especially if they miss one).

    • Follow them. Always.

    Want a smoother stay, a full deposit refund, and 5-star karma? Then tap into the RuleBuster mindset.


    Final Word:

    “We don’t make rules to annoy you—we make them so you’re not the one annoyed later.”


    🔗 Book Direct, and Save

    book.staywithjay.com

    Need help or clarification?
    📧 info@staywithjay.com